The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1887-05-19
An ELOQUENT Appeal.

At grand meeting recently held in
Cleveland, Ohio, to protest against the
English coercion bill, among the speakers
was Rev. George w. Pepper, of the Meth
odist Church, He said:
MY FELLOW CITIZENS This is one of the
bled all classes and creeds. Brilliant though it
be it is only small and Insignificant part of
the great American people who speak i'll thun-
der tones and say to the Tory Government of
England, Take off your remOrselesS hands
from the throat of Ireland now and forever
In every State and city, in Senate Chamber and
public halls. in churches and upon the public
streets where two or three are gathered the
question which rises to every lip is that of Ire
land. Irishmen are sprung from the same stock
and redeemed by the same blood, and candi-
dates for the same Immortality therefore we
shonld stand by them shoulder to shoulder.
We protest against this iniquiteus measure of
coercion because it is contrary to the very spr-
it of liberty. Dean Swift, one of Ireland S fa-
nous publlcists, declared that all government
without the consenS OF tne Is the verE
Hight there is no local government, not even
a mile OF railroad can be built without an act
of the Imperial Parliament. We protest against
this most cruel and despotic measure because
in Ireland at this hour there is less cause. New
er in the history of that people have they bee.i
SO patient under such u fearful provocation.
The people of Ohio would not stand such gaul-
ing tyranny twenty-four hours.
We protest as American citizens because the
cause for which Ireland suffers and bleeds is
that of our own magnificent principles OF self
government. search the history OIL the earth
and where is there such q measure ever con-
templated even by the most despotic govern
ments? This coercion act makes war upon the
intellect, for it prohibits the freedom of the
press makes war upon the imprescriptible
rigt or trial by jury, for abolishes entirely;
makes war upon the conscience, for it provides
that the disciples of one faith may be tried by
the disciples of another; makes war upon the
god-given rights of manhood, without VIII ich
our life is no better than dogs.
plead and raise my voice Tor the freedom
and Independence of ireland because it is pure
and holy. The same IMMORTAL principles which
encrcled the broWs of our revolutionary faith
erS are those of Gladstone and Parneil ] plead
for this cause because Of its sanetity and gran
deur Never in the history Of Ireland mas there
been seen a grander spectacle than OF the Irish
millions raising their hands to Heaven and APP
realng for dstice, liberty and peace. There has
zen reference made to night to the jubilee of
.ii., good Queen of Engand-~God between us
and harm If the British Sovereign were no
ted for keen wit, benevolent acts, graceful ac-
com plishmeDts, and intellectual power, we
might be able To listen patiently to this hom
baStic f1attery OF u monarch who has been new
er been conspicuous for any friendship toward
the poor and oppressed. In the hearts of the
English, the Welsh, the Scotch democracies
there beats no pu lse of tenderness towards the
richest woman in Europe. Throughout all Ire
land'a tragic struggles we search in vain during
her nifty years reign tor one single noble and
splendid word, thought, action. In those
years the land OF our birth, of our love, and of
our affec tons has passed through dreadful fam
ines-childhood Fighting with childhood for
IlettIes to preserve liie-and while thou sands
of lrelanu's sunS and daughters have slept in
their bloody shrouds Where is Nietoria's one
queenly or womahly benefact.on to the Irish
poor.
Millions of the Iiish exiIes scattered through
out the nations believe tn%t she hates their
country with the hatred of a demon robs them
with the cupidity OF IL liliSer, aud perSecuteS
them with an appetite keen death. Amer
leans, lIishmen, sEnglishinen be they protes-
tants, Catholics, Democrats Republicans,
are heartily sick of this detes,abe toadyism
and abominaDie Sycophancy.